Cushing’s syndrome is caused by long-term exposure to high levels of cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Cortisol is essential for many body functions and also regulates metabolism, reduces inflammation and supports the body’s response to stress. However, excess cortisol can lead to a variety of health problems. cute
reason
Cushing’s syndrome can occur for a variety of reasons, including:
- Exogenous Cushing’s syndrome: Caused by long-term use of corticosteroid drugs (such as prednisone) to treat inflammatory or autoimmune diseases.
- Endogenous Cushing’s Syndrome: Due to the body producing too much cortisol, it may occur due to:
- Pituitary adenoma (Cushing’s disease): A benign tumor in the pituitary gland that overproduces adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which stimulates the production of cortisol.
- Adrenal tumors: Benign or malignant growths within the adrenal glands can immediately increase cortisol production.
- Ectopic ACTH syndrome: Positive cancers (eg, most small mobile lung cancers) produce ACTH outside the pituitary gland.
sign
Common signs and symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome include:
- Weight advantage: mainly distributed in the stomach, face (“moon face”) and upper back (“buffalo back”).
- Skin Troubleshooting: Skinny, fragile skin; clean bruises; and red stretch marks (streaks), especially on the stomach.
- Muscle Weak Points: Especially arms and legs.
- Bone Health: Osteoporosis or fractures.
- High blood pressure and blood sugar: Increases the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure.
- Mood adjustment: Hopelessness, anxiety, or irritability.
- Fatigue and poor sleep.
- Women: Irregular or absent menstrual intervals, excessive hair growth.
- Boys: Decreased libido and erectile dysfunction.
analyze
Diagnoses of Cushing’s syndrome include:
Measure cortisol levels (blood, urine, or saliva assessment).
ACTH levels are found incidentally through imaging tests (MRI or CT scan) and blood evaluation to find out the cause.
remedy
Treatment depends on the underlying cause:
Reduce steroid use: If due to corticosteroid therapy, gradually reduce dose under scientific supervision.
Surgical treatment: Elimination of tumors of the pituitary gland, adrenal gland, or ectopic sources.
Radiation therapy: used for inoperable pituitary tumors.
Medications: Reduce cortisol levels or prevent their consequences.
Lifestyle changes: Manage signs and symptoms and enhance average health.
prognosis
With appropriate treatment, many people can overcome Cushing’s disease, although some may also have chronic health problems that require ongoing management. Early detection and treatment can significantly improve outcomes.
Causes and Threats of Cushing’s Syndrome
Causes of Cushing’s Syndrome
Cushing’s syndrome occurs due to long-term exposure to excessive amounts of cortisol, a hormone produced through the adrenal glands. Causes are classified as exogenous (external) or endogenous (internal). Read more
1. External factors (external)
Long-term use of corticosteroid drugs:
The most common cause of Cushing’s syndrome.
Medications used to treat conditions such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis or autoimmune diseases, as well as prednisone or dexamethasone, can mimic the effects of cortisol.
High doses or long-term use can disrupt the framework of herbal cortisol regulation.
two. endogenous causes
Endogenous Cushing’s syndrome is caused by a hormonal imbalance or tumor that causes the body to produce excess cortisol.
Pituitary adenoma (Cushing’s disease):
Noncancerous tumors in the pituitary gland produce extra adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which stimulates the adrenal glands to release more cortisol.
The most common endogenous cause.
Adrenal gland tumors:
Benign (adenomas) or malignant (cancer) tumors within the adrenal glands can cause excessive production of cortisol.
Ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone syndrome:
Some cancers, such as small lung cancers or pancreatic tumors, produce adrenocorticotropic hormone outside the pituitary gland, primarily due to high cortisol levels.
Primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD):
This is a specific genetic condition in which small nodules within the adrenal glands cause excessive production of cortisol.
McCune-Albright Syndrome:
A rare genetic disorder that causes the adrenal glands to become overactive.
risk factors
Positive factors may also increase the risk of Cushing’s syndrome:
1. Drug related
- Long-term use of high-dose corticosteroids to treat the following conditions:
- bronchial asthma
- rheumatoid arthritis
- inflammatory bowel disease
- Organ transplants can help you avoid rejection
2. Genetic predisposition
- Genetic diseases include:
- More than one type 1 endocrine neoplasm (MEN1)
- The Carney family is complicated
3. Tumor opportunities
- Have a condition that predisposes you to pituitary gland or adrenal gland tumors.
4. Most cancers
- Certain cancers (eg, most small cell lung cancers) cause ectopic ACTH syndrome.
five. gender
- Women are at greater risk for Cushing’s syndrome, specifically Cushing’s syndrome caused by a pituitary adenoma.
6. Age
- It is most common in adults ages 20-50, but can affect people of any age, including infants.
Find out what motivates high cortisol with testing
Once you determine that you are producing too much cortisol, you may need further testing to find out the cause of the excess cortisol. For example, is it due to a pituitary tumor (adenoma), ectopic action of ACTH, or an adrenal cause?
Blood tests for levels of cortisol and other hormones may also help identify the cause. This may involve collecting blood from abnormal parts of the body. You may also need a CT scan of your pituitary gland, adrenal glands, or other parts of your body. Testing is often quite complex.
petrosal sinus sampling
The petrosal sinus is a vein at the base of the skull that drains the pituitary gland. Petrosal sinus sampling is a very sensitive, unique, and correct test to diagnose Cushing’s disease and differentiate between pituitary function and ectopic ACTH.
There is a tube in the vein of each leg and passes through the jugular vein on each side of the neck. A small catheter is then passed through each of these ducts into the petrosal sinuses on either side of the pituitary gland. In addition to collecting blood samples from the blood circulating through the frame, blood samples are also collected from two catheters to regulate hormone levels.
Surgical treatment of pituitary adenoma
When you have a pituitary adenoma, the most common treatment is to remove it surgically. This is achieved through the use of very good equipment. Healthcare providers can reach the pituitary gland through a small incision behind the upper lip, just above the front teeth (or occasionally from inside the nostril).
These gadgets pass through the sphenoid bone at the base of the skull. Therefore, the surgery is called “transsphenoidal surgery” and is done under the preferred anesthetic. The goal is to delay the growth of the adenoma but leave the rest of the pituitary gland intact.
Eliminating adenomas causes cortisol levels in your body to go from high to close to 0. cortisol) medication returns to normal.
It will also take a few months for your body to readjust and for symptoms and signs to gradually appear. About eight out of ten surgeries are successful. Your GP will advise on complications that may sometimes occur – for example:
Sometimes, surgery may also damage other components of the pituitary gland. This may lead to reduced production of some other hormones. If this happens, you may be able to take alternative hormonal treatments.
Sometimes it is not always possible to remove all the cells that produce extra ACTH. If this occurs and ACTH remains too high after surgery, options include a second surgery or other remedies indexed below.
